Traduire / Traduzir

Monday, 23 April 2012

Roughly 4 to 5 weeks ago occurred the Mali coup of president Amadou Toumani Touré. This was a coup by the military junta against a president who was sending the people of Mali to war against Arab rebels from the north without given them appropriate military and financial support. The coup was orchestrated in a dissatisfaction of his limited efforts to develop the country. The coup had clear goals to call on other African countries to help, but ECOWAS denounced the coup leaders and threatened them of military intervention. This left them powerless and unable to deal with the Arab rebels of the north (tuaregs) whom are now violently attacking the African Malians in the north of Mali.

Some from outside Africa, or even outside Mali were uncertain about this coup, that the military will overthrow a "democratic government". What most don't understand is that in Africa, most of the presidents are not the elected or voted in. This is what it is made to seem like, but with presidents in many francophone countries like Ivory Coast, Togo, and Mali, these presidents are imposed by foreign countries such as USA, France, etc via rigged elections. If you don't believe find a native or local citizen and query them about it. This explains why the governments are hardly ever at peace with the people. This might not be the case for all, but the case for most. In the english speaking African countries, candidates are usually heavily funded by foreign countries or corporations/businesses, whom they are usually tied to offering a great deal to if they win presidential power. So much that you will hardly ever notice the genuine candidate because his campaign resources are that of which can't compete with those that make deals with foreign entities. This can be explained more but will serve as a firm introduction for the recent coup in Guinea Bissau, the removal of president Carlos Gomes Jr by the military..

Just like Mali, a group of soldiers have removed the president from power. ECOWAS has rejected the authority of a National Transitional Council (NTC) which the coup plotters' say they have put in place to run Guinea-Bissau for the next two years. The NTC was established following the signing of an accord on April 18 by the junta and leaders of 20 opposition parties who have come out in support of the coup.

The majority of political parties in Guinea Bissau came together in support of this coup. Also so are the majority of Guinea Bissauans. However, many of them fear the end result of this scenario as the usual team is against it. Which are the World Bank, ECOWAS, African Union, and also the "Community of Portuguese Speaking Country" (CPLP), in other words, Portugal and other countries that were exploited and enslaved by the Portuguese.

In this case unlike Mali, we are uncertain of the purpose of the coup, if there was a specific task behind it, or if it's objective was simply to remove a bad government. The coup leaders have shown some distress with the presidents relationship with Angola. However, what we do know is the conditions of Guinea Bissau needs a lot of improvement. Guinea Bissau like most African countries is rich in wealth. The country is one of the world's leading producers of Bauxite. Nevertheless, the people enjoy none of these resources. Unfortunately, for the western countries, unlike Mali the Guinea Bissau coup leaders are not willing to back down. The have brought together various political parties in Guinea Bissau and offered to create a 'National Transitional Council'. The Western countries supported this against Gaddafi but why is it they refuse to support it now?

These military coups are now sending a strong message to various African presidents who did not acquire political power in a justified or genuine manner and have abused their power an mistreated the African people. However, African people need to be cautious that we everywhere are clear of all reasons behind a coup before supporting any side to it, because if not cautious, there could be organised military coups in favour of Western countries against presidents that actually are favoured by the people and visa versa. Even with extensive research one can always be left puzzled which action is on the side of the people. At times, some of these coups or civil wars are of no interest of the people but the battle of two major countries controlling the oppositions for national resources. One will just have to study the situation closely but acknowledge the various factors that indicate the involvement of foreign countries. In such a case for example, Guinea Bissau is known for drug trafficking, and we are all aware that the drugs are not made in Guinea Bissau. So the question is who brings it in, and who allows them to bring it in. Guinea Bissau, as said before, is very rich in bauxite, which is a great world resource, so why are the people, and even the government of the country poor? And which nation is benefiting from their bauxite at such a cheap deal? The research into these two factors will probably lead to answers regarding who or which nation is behind the de stabled government of Guinea Bissau.

Nevertheless, we have had the opportunity to meet many Guinea Bissauans in my experience, and all that's left to add is, they are some of the kindest, hardest working and most welcoming people in Africa, locally and abroad. After discussing with a few contacts in Guinea Bissau, they have made it quite clear that there is no current problem but a curfew has been placed on the public. We do hope that the coup does not taint a view on the beautiful people, culture and landspace of Guinea Bissau and that normality will return to their governments with the right order for the benefit on the Guinea Bissauans.